Buckets for washing clothes in!

Hi Mike and Helen

We have never lost a lid off the clip on type of large bucket, even when one tipped over in the back of the ute with the washing in it (giving it an rougher ride than in the caravan). It leaked a bit and only a little water lost. I got ours second hand from a chicken takeaway place, but i think Bunnings have similar. We change from wash to rinse bucket at lunch time, and hang out (generally on a fold up airer) when we stop for the night.

Because the caravan rides too smoothly, we can use a plumbers plunger in the bucket to agitate, and use this when stationery. Wringing is the only hard part, and we do this together putting the clothes in a towel. I would not take a washing machine.

Sheets can wait for a Laundromat, an when we get to one, i usually do most of the clothes, towels and sheets, sometimes even if they have been bucket washed and don't look clean enough with red dirt stains.

Motherhen

hi newbies

can i suggest a drum similar to those used for making home brew. They are usually 25 or 30 litres and have a nice tight screw lid. You can get the lids with or without an air hole in the top. I have 2 at home and currently travelling oz. I wish i had brought one as it would have come in very handy.
a link to an example

You can get them at home brew shops and some hardware shops, not sure if bunning sell them.
Just a thought, good luck.

Doey

Hi, Newbies,
You can buy things from any good camping store. Sort of , but we reckon they're too bulky they're like a rotating compost bin.
We have a plastic tub with a screw on lid Like a large jar. This is for the "smalls".

Most of the time we have a rest day where there's ample water & do the washing
when traveling outback. With portable shower for us.
We usually org anise a day in a caravan park or tourist place to re-organise the car's packing & do the washing, ourselves included! if in a town.
The back of the car gets quite disorganised when rummaging through things on the trip.
Take care,safe travels.
Bye Ma

Hi Newbies,

I dont think I have ever seen a bucket with a screw top. But what you could use is one of those plastic drums that canoeists use to keep their gear dry. Any good camping/outdoors store should have them. I got a smaller version (about 20l) from a delicatessen whose bulk olives came in it. Just needed a good wash out.

Cheers,

Val.

Nally do some great buckets with the pop on lid, I brought mine from Reflex Equip,twice the price and twice the thickness of a normal pail.

Hi Newbies

We use these buckets and have never once have they even moved. Being square makes for easy packing.
Have fun
DW

Hi Newbies

Most farming supply shops sell 2nd hand containers that have snap on lids or buy the land newspaper and look in the for sale classifieds .

These lids are held on tight and waterproof thanks to a metal over cam/centre clips.

Cheers Wilko

G,day newbies, I havn't tried it but I can't see why a plastic esky couldn't be used for the clothes to slosh around in, between uses as an icebox cooler.

A long time ago I bought a bulk bucket with a handle of cold power from bigw. We still use it.

Hi Newbies

We have just bought a Wonder Wash manual washing machine for the 'smalls'. Havent tried it yet, but it will get a work out at Christmas.

We generally camp in the one place for a period of time, rather than travelling daily, so this is not an inconvenience to us.

One other thing, this subject has been on here before... I recall some saying that they put a rock in the bucket with their clothes and washing water. Appearently this assists in agitating the suds/water.

As mentioned by Old Girl, we buy bulk washing powder in a 20 litre bucket with handle... bloody hard to get the lid off, so I doubt that it would spill if it fell over. I guess you could pack other stuff around it to minimize the possibility of it tipping over.

Safe travels, Dave

Not a bucket but we use a 'Dry bag' Product link

Put clothes in, half fill with water & detergent, close bag leaving 1/4 of the bags volume full of air, and secure to the roof rack.

I am from the UK, but have used this while travelling in southern Europe, being outside in the sun it heats the water (May get too hot in Oz?) and the air space leaves room for the clothes to slosh about.

Thanks to everyone for their helpful tips and hints. We will have fun following these up and seeing how they work.
Hope to see you all on the road in 2011. Have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. Mike and Helen

Try the camping section at BigW/Target. They have the blue screw on lid 20 litre bucket you are seeking.

Also go to a hardware store and ask them if they have any left-over chain buckets .... when you see one you'll get the drift - Dad sourcing his washing machine that way..... screw on lid and about the right size...

Hi Newbies.....we got a bucket with a screw on lid from BCF and used it for washing.